By Valerie Barrineau – After decades of inspiring generations of young artists, Melanie Ward and Patt Kleckley make their exhibition debut at the gallery of a former student, bringing their artistic journeys full circle.

For decades, Melanie Ward and Patt Kleckley stood at the front of classrooms, encouraging young artists to believe in themselves, explore their creativity, and share their work with the world. They celebrated countless student exhibitions, nurtured emerging talent, and helped shape generations of artists throughout the Midlands.

Now, after a combined 67 years dedicated to arts education, it’s finally their turn.

On Thursday, Nov. 12 from 5 pm – 8 p.m, Steven Whetstone Fine Art will present Beyond the Classroom, a special exhibition featuring the artwork of Ward and Kleckley. Held at 324 State Street in West Columbia, the exhibition marks a significant milestone for both women: their first-ever featured gallery exhibition.

And in a remarkable full-circle moment, the gallery hosting their debut belongs to one of their former students.

Steven Whetstone, a professional artist since 2003 and a 2025 inductee into the Lexington School District Two Fine Arts Hall of Fame, was taught by both Ward and Kleckley. Years after they helped nurture his artistic abilities, he now has the opportunity to celebrate their talents by welcoming them into his gallery.

It’s a story of creativity, mentorship, friendship, and the lasting influence of teachers whose impact reaches far beyond the classroom.

MELANIE WARD: A LIFE DEVOTED TO CREATIVITY

For Melanie Ward, art has always been more than a subject to teach. It has been a way of life.

A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Ward spent 33 years teaching art in Lexington School District Two before retiring in 2021. During her career, she also served as the district’s lead art teacher for middle and high school art programs, helping guide arts education and support fellow teachers. Her dedication earned her Teacher of the Year recognition three times.

Even after retirement, Ward continued championing young artists, serving as Superintendent of Student Art at the South Carolina State Fair in 2024 and 2025. During her tenure, she established two new awards designed to celebrate artistic achievement and create additional opportunities for recognition.

The Barbara Ward “Little Flowers” Merit Awards honor the legacy of Barbara Ward, a beloved Lexington School District Two art teacher of 30 years who affectionately referred to her students as her “little flowers.” The awards recognize exceptional floral artwork at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, with one artist from each division receiving a $20 prize.

Ward also created the Carolina Wren Awards, recognizing artistic achievement among students with intellectual or related physical disabilities who participate in the State Fair’s Inclusive Arts Division. The awards reflect her commitment to ensuring that young artists of all abilities have opportunities to be celebrated for their creativity.

But Ward’s artistic talents extend well beyond the visual arts.

A professional singer since the age of 16, she has spent decades sharing her musical talents with audiences. Today, she performs alongside Mike Creech in the duo Quarter Moon and serves as the lead singer of The Blue Shades.

From painting and commissioned artwork to music, poetry, and gardening, creativity has remained a constant throughout her life.

Now, after spending decades encouraging students to share their artistic voices, Ward is preparing to share her own work in a gallery exhibition for the very first time.

PATT KLECKLEY: AN ARTIST, EDUCATOR, AND SCULPTOR

For more than 34 years, Patt Kleckley dedicated her career to helping students at Northside Middle School discover their creative potential. But her artistic accomplishments extend well beyond the classroom.

An accomplished sculptor, Kleckley has created works that have become part of the Midlands’ cultural landscape.

In 2002, she participated in the Cultural Council Door Project with her life-size sculpture of former University of South Carolina football coach Lou Holtz. Titled Lou Passing Thru, the sculpture was later purchased by Colonial Life Insurance.

Her commissioned works also include a life-size sculpture of Albert Einstein for PHTS and Jesus, the Good Shepherd, created for her home church, Mt. Horeb in Lexington.

Kleckley’s passion for art was inseparable from her dedication to teaching. Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, she guided students and staff at Northside Middle School in creating a remarkable 15-foot-tall Statue of Liberty. The collaborative project became a powerful expression of unity and patriotism and was later featured in SchoolArts magazine.

Her commitment to education earned her Teacher of the Year honors in 1985 and 2008, as well as Lexington School District Two Teacher of the Year recognition in 2008.

Throughout her career, Kleckley encouraged students to think beyond traditional artistic boundaries, showing them that creativity could be expressed through sculpture, public art, and meaningful community projects.

Despite her extensive artistic accomplishments and decades of teaching, Beyond the Classroom will mark Kleckley’s first featured gallery exhibition.

A CREATIVE PARTNERSHIP THAT EXTENDED BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Ward and Kleckley’s shared history goes beyond their years teaching in Lexington School District Two.

The two artists collaborated on a bench created for EdVenture Children’s Museum, combining their artistic talents on a project designed for the community.

They also brought their students together to decorate a tree with handcrafted roses for the Festival of Trees at the South Carolina State Museum, demonstrating how art could connect young people with their community while teaching the value of collaboration.

These projects reflect a philosophy both women carried throughout their teaching careers: art is not simply something to create, but something to share.

Their friendship, shared commitment to arts education, and years of creative collaboration make their first exhibition together especially meaningful.

A FULL-CIRCLE MOMENT FOR A FORMER STUDENT

For gallery owner Steven Whetstone, Beyond the Classroom is more than another exhibition. It’s an opportunity to recognize two women who helped shape his artistic journey.

Long before establishing his professional art career and opening his gallery in West Columbia’s River District, Whetstone was a young student learning from Ward and Kleckley.

Their encouragement and instruction helped build the creative foundation that would eventually become his life’s work.

Today, Whetstone has worked as a professional artist for more than two decades. In 2025, he was inducted into the Lexington School District Two Fine Arts Hall of Fame, an honor recognizing his contributions to the arts.

Now, the roles have come full circle.

The teachers who once encouraged his creativity will have their artwork displayed in the gallery he built, offering an opportunity to recognize the talents of two women who spent their careers celebrating the talents of others.

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM: A CELEBRATION OF ART, EDUCATION, AND NEW BEGINNINGS

While Ward and Kleckley are widely respected for their contributions to arts education, Beyond the Classroom invites audiences to discover another side of these two women.

Their artistic journeys include public sculptures, commissioned works, community art projects, music, and decades of creative exploration. Yet, despite their accomplishments, neither has previously been the focus of a gallery exhibition.

That changes this November.

The exhibition celebrates not only their individual artistic voices, but also the extraordinary influence of educators who inspire others to create.

It is a reminder that artistic growth never ends, creativity has no expiration date, and the people who spend their lives encouraging others deserve to have their own talents recognized.

The public is invited to join Melanie Ward and Patt Kleckley for this special milestone, experience their artwork, and celebrate two women whose contributions to the Midlands arts community have extended far beyond the classroom.

EXHIBITION AND OPENING RECEPTION

Beyond the Classroom: The Art of Melanie Ward & Patt Kleckley

Thursday, November 12, 2026 from 5:00pm – 8:00pm

Steven Whetstone Fine Art

324 State Street, West Columbia, SC

The opening reception will offer guests the opportunity to meet both artists, view their work, and celebrate their first exhibition.

Event Information:https://facebook.com/events/s/beyond-the-classroom-the-art-o/1111014021296919

ABOUT STEVEN WHETSTONE FINE ART

Located in West Columbia’s River District, Steven Whetstone Fine Art is a working studio and gallery showcasing original artwork and celebrating South Carolina’s creative community. Gallery owner Steven Whetstone has worked as a professional artist since 2003 and was inducted into the Lexington School District Two Fine Arts Hall of Fame in 2025. Through exhibitions and community events, the gallery connects artists with audiences and fosters an appreciation for the visual arts.

Media Contact

One Columbia for Arts and Culture
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